Infinite three-dimensional polymeric metalloporphyrin network via six-coordinate Zn(II) and two axial oxygen donors

An X-ray crystallographic study of zinc(II) 5,15-di-(2-methoxymethylphenyl)-porphyrin indicates that it forms a coordination polymer through ligation of the ether oxygen atoms on the porphyrin peripheries to the metal centers of two identical adjacent porphyrins. This gives a novel extensively linked, three-dimensional polymeric structure in which the zinc(II) metal forms a six-coordination center. The uniquely structured network has cavities between 4.81 and 9.27 Angstrom, which makes it resemble molecular sieve materials.